It might cause me financial harm as I have to sell more stocks and might pay short term capital gains vs long term capital gains.

Typically, I also avoid paid education because there is so much free content.

Seller will be taking a 30k+ loss with this route.325k with 50K down to seller, 3 years of payments $1600/month, and a balloon payment of 215k at the end of 3 years.Benefits to me: (1) 10k less downpayment, (2) with the conventional route, the loan would be at 228k after 3 years of payments, so I will gain additional equity with the 2nd option since I will owe 215k (presumably I will have to refinance at that time).Benefit to seller: she gets over asking price, 50K upfront and $300/month of cash flow.Does this offer and structure sound reasonable?

This is the metric typically used on row homes or twins, detached structures usually add landscape or more siding and a higher likelihood of pitched & shingled roof.

You won't be able to use conventional financing and must use a non-recourse loan which typically require 40% down.

As the investor gains experience, they are not only able to more successfully foresee the “bumps” along the way, able to handle recessions, temporary negative cash flow, unforeseen capital expenditures without panicking, but will also recognize the opportunities necessary to turn a loss into a break even.

A sophisticated investor will also typically ask for the entire claimed track record and then run it through the wringer.

That sort of thing is typically negotiable.

Some properties actually lose money each month but gain value through appreciation.

Leverage will be reduced from the max available, reserve requirements increased and, typically, you would be required to use a professional property manager.